Least Sexy AirVenture Purchase

[Dave Piehler]

I'm sure those of you planning to visit AirVenture are preparing your plans of attack, including what to scout and what to buy.  What has been your least sexy, but highly useful, purchase at AirVenture?  I'm not talking about something as mundane as a new oil filter or plugs, but rather something out of the ordinary that paid outsized dividends and which others might therefore want to emulate.

I'll start.  Last year I asked my mechanic what the most common AN fasteners were for the Mooney, so I could purchase a supply to have on hand.  It seems that every time I get underneath the plane I find one or more screws or bolts have departed the airframe.  I went to the Fly Market and found a vendor that sold small quantities (30 or so each) of fasteners and spent ~$35 on an assortment.  They came in handy today during my annual clean-the-belly-before-Oshkosh activity.  I found a few loose fasteners, but also four empty holes of various sizes, which were quickly and easily filled.

Anyone else got a nomination?

Dave Piehler

[201er]

5 minutes ago, Dave Piehler said:

What has been your least sexy, but highly useful, purchase at AirVenture?  I'm not talking about something as mundane as a new oil filter or plugs, but rather something out of the ordinary that paid outsized dividends and which others might therefore want to emulate.

Pretty much oil filter or plugs. Case of oil. Replacement tires, save big on shipping. Can't beat the freebies though! Tshirts, hats, bags, tire gauge, even Mooney merch!

[N201MKTurbo]

I bought a pneumatic sealant dispense gun there for $10. That was pretty sweet. I got some Wemac vents from a King Air for $5 each. They are now in the Mooney.

I love the Fly Mart.

[mike_elliott]

I bought some non slip Phillips head #2 bits that don't bugger up the screws by slipping, and a nifty safety wire insertion thingie that looks like a long screwdriver to get that four letter word enhancement oil suction screen on an io360  re safety tied 

 

[Danb]

Custom ear plugs for Fran’s Halo’s 

[glenn reynolds]

I got a cabin trash bag that hangs on the back of the seat from the headrest.  Keeps the cabin clean and was less than twenty dollars.  So when I factor the dollars to miles of use this could be the most cost effective airplane item I own.  

[BDPetersen]

Then there is the ubiquitous wire stripping tool that for some reason always sucks me in because of some improvement over the old one. I wonder where it is . . .

[Greg Ellis]

I am going to admit to something that maybe I shouldn't.  The world of Dentistry is much like that of aviation.  If the product is for medical or dental uses, the price gets jacked up 10 fold or more.  Same thing in aviation.  If it is for a certified aircraft then the price sky rockets compared to homebuilt/experimental.

One year I was walking around Fly Market and saw they were selling hemostats at about 2-3 bucks a piece.  They were the exact same that I use in my office.  So I bought a bunch.  Why?  They get bent, beat up and abused over years of use and sterilizing them.  A good pair of hemostats from a dental supply company can run anywhere from $20 on the low end up into the $60 and $70 range.  These two dollar hemostats have worked well and lasted longer than their expensive counterparts.  They take the abuse of use and sterilization better than the high dollar ones.

Not sure if anyone needs to emulate this but does that count? 

[Dave Piehler]

I think we have a winner!

(I’ll drink to that, Teflon.)


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[LANCECASPER]

8 hours ago, Greg Ellis said:

I am going to admit to something that maybe I shouldn't.  The world of Dentistry is much like that of aviation.  If the product is for medical or dental uses, the price gets jacked up 10 fold or more.  Same thing in aviation.  If it is for a certified aircraft then the price sky rockets compared to homebuilt/experimental.

One year I was walking around Fly Market and saw they were selling hemostats at about 2-3 bucks a piece.  They were the exact same that I use in my office.  So I bought a bunch.  Why?  They get bent, beat up and abused over years of use and sterilizing them.  A good pair of hemostats from a dental supply company can run anywhere from $20 on the low end up into the $60 and $70 range.  These two dollar hemostats have worked well and lasted longer than their expensive counterparts.  They take the abuse of use and sterilization better than the high dollar ones.

Not sure if anyone needs to emulate this but does that count? 

Hopefully we don't have any proctologists on Mooneyspace that notice the great deals on Borescopes at Fly Market. 

[M20F]

I wander from tent to tent drinking other people’s beer. 

[hoot777]

Be there Monday and Tuesday. Love to hanger fly. 803-463-6043

[Echo]

On 7/16/2024 at 8:24 AM, M20F said:

I wander from tent to tent drinking other people’s beer. 

Winning 

[Mcstealth]

On 7/13/2024 at 2:38 PM, mike_elliott said:

I bought some non slip Phillips head #2 bits that don't bugger up the screws by slipping, and a nifty safety wire insertion thingie that looks like a long screwdriver to get that four letter word enhancement oil suction screen on an io360  re safety tied 

 

Please post a picture of the safety wire tool?

[mike_elliott]

I wish I could, I gave it to a friend after I sold the Bravo and gave up my hangar

[M20F]

On 7/18/2024 at 5:49 PM, Echo said:

Winning 

Can you let me know where you are parking and what kind of beer you have?  I really don’t  like to walk far so hope you offer pick up & drop off service. 

[Dave Piehler]

I wish I could, I gave it to a friend after I sold the Bravo and gave up my hangar

Say it ain’t so, Mike!


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[mike_elliott]

Sure wish I had both still! I'm fortunate enough to fly others quite often, DYL. Life ain't so bad...